had altered vs had been altered

[Winwin2011]

I read the following sentence from a book:

Nothing in the house had altered since 1960.

Does the above sentence have an active meaning? Is it correct if we use "had been altered" in the above sentence?

Thanks.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I read the following sentence from a book:

Nothing in the house had altered since 1960.

Does the above sentence have an active meaning? Is it correct if we use "had been altered" in the above sentence?

Thanks.

Your example uses "alter" as an active intransitive verb. Several dictionaries I consulted list this intransitive use. However, in my experience, this is unusual. The more common is "alter" as a transitive verb. In your use, that would be in the passive voice -- had been altered. Something or somebody changed the house.